Massachusetts laws

MGL c. 84, § 15
A county, city, town, or person obliged to repair may be liable for injury or damage from defects on ways

MGL c. 84, § 17
A county, city, or town is not liable for injury or damage from snow or ice on a public way if the place where the accident happened was otherwise reasonably safe and convenient for travelers

MGL c. 84, §§ 18-20
A person must notify the county, city, or town of injury or damage from snow or ice on a public way within 30 days

MGL c. 84, § 21
A person must notify the owner of private property of injury or damage from snow or ice on their premises within 30 days

MGL c. 85, § 6
Towns may accept this section, remove snow and ice from its permanent sidewalks, and assess the whole or any part of the cost of removal to the abutters

MGL c. 85, § 7
Abutters may procure an exemption from an assessment by stipulating that they will remove snow and ice from the sidewalk, on which their estates abut, at such times and in such manner as the appropriate municipal officers shall direct

MGL c. 85, § 7A
Persons may not store chemicals used for the removal of snow or ice in such a manner or place as to subject a water supply or groundwater supply to the risk of contamination

Key Organizations

Trial Court Law Libraries

Online

Massachusetts regulations

105 CMR 410.452 Safe Condition: Responsibility for clearing walk and stairs (Landlord-Tenant)310 CMR 22.21(2) Regulating the storage of chemicals used for the removal of snow or ice780 CMR 1001.3.1 Maintenance of Exterior Stairs and Fire Escapes. All exterior stairways and fire escapes shall be kept free of snow and ice

State of Emergency Information, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. The Governor's declaration of a State of Emergency does not automatically ban travel or close businesses. Many businesses have contractual agreements with their employees regarding who does/does not have to report to work when a State of Emergency is issued.

Print sources

The Law of Premises Liability: tort liability of the owner or occupier of real property for harm inflicted upon persons while on the premises and for harm inflicted by persons who become intoxicated while on the premises, 4th ed., LexisNexis, loose-leaf. Chapter 7: The Slip-and-fall Case